File this under What Was I Thinking?

I took the first overnight road trip with the boy sans husband. Let's just say it was slightly more challenging than I had imagined. To all you single moms out there - wow, you're incredible.

The first obstacle I encountered was that first restroom break. How exactly do you take a 4-month old to the bathroom. I didn't want to carry his car seat into the convenience store. I won't even set my purse down on a public bathroom floor. And, well you can't exactly hook a car seat on the back of the stall door. So, I opted for putting him in the sling and giving it my best shot. Luckily I was wearing a long shirt and could zip up once back in the car.

Second was everything took so much longer because there wasn't two of us to manage things. Honey, I'll fill up with gas while you change the boy's diaper.

Have you ever tried to explain to a screaming child that the next town is 12 miles away and it's just not safe to stop on the side of the road to eat/change/stretch your legs? Yeah, that went well. Put Tylenol on the list of must-have items for the diaper bag.

Now I know why when we went places as a kid my mom would always plan driving time around when I would be sleeping. And here I thought it was so I could have more time to watch the elephants at the zoo. Silly me.

Yikes.

I'm officially unemployed. Well, I'm out of the corporate, work 40-plus hours a week and get a paycheck employed. I am, however, a stay-at-home mom. It's terrific. Sure, sure, there's been a few panicked moments where I freaked out over not having a steady income but overall it's so far so good.

Here's the funny part - my to do list is just as long without a job as it was with one. Create resume (haven't done that in a while). Apply for jobs - I'm looking for something I can do part time and still be at home with the boy. Look at going back to school. Clip coupons and find the best deals on groceries. All in a day's work.

I did it.

I work for a major metro daily news organization. Yeah, times are tough right now in the biz. So far this year I've been notified that I won't get a raise - again. I didn't get one last year either. I've seen many of my friends have their jobs outsourced, many more that have just had enough and taken opportunities to exit. I've taken a pay cut. Now we get a week furlough. I also have been handed a packet to apply for a voluntary separation from the company - a buyout.

With that said, I really love my job. I'm sick and twisted, I know. Despite it all, the folks I work with are some of the best people I've ever known. They are more than just coworkers. They are my friends.

So the decision was hard, but it's time for me to take a leap of faith. I'm applying for the buyout. I should know Monday whether or not my application is accepted.

Welcome

What is more mortifying than to feel you've missed the Plum for want of courage to shake the Tree? ~Logan Pearsall Smith

I'm taking a leap. It's not change that strikes fear in my very soul, but the thought of not knowing if things will be ok. But, if I don't shake the tree I'll never get that sweet juicy plum. Besides, it builds character. Right?

My first step is to start this blog so I can record my story. I've got a bad memory and if I'm going to learn some life lesson with this I better have some place to refer back to the details. You know, in case things go horribly wrong. You're invited to come along for the ride.

What's the leap? I can't tell you just yet. Come back next week and I'll let you know how it goes.